2000 XR400 Decompression system

cmanno

Hi everyone,
I have been riding this bike since new with some mods and have never had to kick more than a couple of times to get it purring like a lion. Do I really need to keep the decompression lever if I have never used it, what is it supposed to help with? I am looking to install a Maguraclutch lever and there is an option to have the decompession lever as part of it or not. Any advise will be greatly appreciated. Thank You in advance

turboXR250

You do not have to keep it if you still have stock cam and auto decompressor. But it does come in handy if you flood your bike or if you stall while riding, you can pull the lever and get the engine turning over and start. But no you do not have to keep it on.

kiethco

Dwight_Rudder

I would rather disconnect the auto release than remove the Manual one. I use mine all the time on my XR. EVERY TIME I START THE BIKE. I find TDC before kicking and use the manual release to go just past that point. THEN KICK. I use it when engine is flooded or refuses to start. I use it to bump start bike also. It would be foolish to remove it.
Cher'o,
Dwight

Pig_N_CR5hundy

CoreyClough

I bought it with the lever and cable removed, but everything at the engine is still there. I haven't had a reason to install the removed parts, because I'd have to buy them. Hot Start was already there too, and works fine. I would think reinstalling the de-comp lever would just be another lever to break. Not so true, since I've installed the Acerbis Pro Rally Guards without the metal band. I've dropped my bike more times than Kieth's injured himself, and haven't broken a lever in any of those "offs".

Sorry, long answer to a short question. I need to go riding again...soon!

Dwight_Rudder

If you know how to use a manual compression release , you don't need a "hot start". The Hot start is a way of leaning the bike out when hot to solve a poor jetting problem. A manual compression release is much more than just a way to start when hot. I use mine to bump start when I kill engine going into corner. If you just let the clutch out it will usually just slide the tire.
Forget silly hot starts and keep the manual release.
Cher'o,
Dwight

Mainjet2001

CoreyClough

If the hot start didn't already come with the bike, I'd still be using the de-comp lever. If your system is O.K. the way it is, I don't see a reason for the hot start. Sometimes we just get use to the way things are.

dale

I would rather disconnect the auto release than remove the Manual one. I use mine all the time on my XR. EVERY TIME I START THE BIKE. I find TDC before kicking and use the manual release to go just past that point. THEN KICK. I use it when engine is flooded or refuses to start. I use it to bump start bike also. It would be foolish to remove it. Cher'o,Dwight

I have 2 '96 xr400's and a '99 total miles from all three over 10K, first thing I do is throw away the manual decompessor and the kick stand. If you bike is flooded, hold thottle WFO, need to bump start on a hill, shift up a gear. I ride in tight woods and if anything hits decomp lever, bike dies. Also the XR needs to loose weight. The kickstand is handy when your not riding, but just adds weight and if you dump it on a hill and it slides down, kickstand can go under a root, then you have to drag bike uphill. I also trash to header heat shield, remove lights unless I ride an enduro.

Dwight_Rudder

Dale, I stand by what I said.
It is also foolish to remove the side stand unless you are racing MX and the only time you stop is at the truck.
Over 15years of racing XRs Experiance here.
Most of the guys who see someone who has removed the manual release, think, well there is a novice.
Learn to use the Manual release. You will be better off for it.
Cher'o,

dale

Dale, I stand by what I said. It is also foolish to remove the side stand unless you are racing MX and the only time you stop is at the truck. Over 15years of racing XRs Experiance here.Most of the guys who see someone who has removed the manual release, think, well there is a novice.Learn to use the Manual release. You will be better off for it.Cher'o,

Stick with what ever works for you, I am no novice, been riding for 27 years.Four stroke experience;79 xr18580 xt25081 tt50086 tt22586 tt35090 xr250 (280 kit)91 dr35094 klx25096 xr40096 xr400 (426 kit)99 xr400also a few 2 strokes;77 yz8091 kdx20091 cr25094 250sx95 440excMany of these required using the manual decomp, so I know how to use it. I just don't need it on the xr400. I have had to start other guys Xr's many times, if needed I get it past TDC using the auto decomp, then kick. When I see a rider with a kick stand I think novice, but again whatever turns you on. When I stop (to help others) I use a tree. Different subject, I put the KG factory clutch springs in my xr426, they seem good, a little stiffer than stock, but not as stiff as the Barrnet's.

Dwight_Rudder

Dale, I have been riding nearly 40 years and racing since 1971 and Nationals since 1974. I have raced the early KLX250 Kaw, XR185, XR75s . I helped Al Baker with stuff starting in 1987-89. I was behind Powroll building XR400 and XR250 stroker cranks. I still think that everyone needs learn to properly use the compression release. The exception is bikes with Estart.
Lets see you start a BSA 441 without a compression release !
HEHEHE. Let's hope that XRs aren't that brutal. Do what works for you but I have heard too many folks complaining about starting problems and find out they are not using the manual release.
Dale, on a different subject. You live in Dayton Oh. Are you going to the WWI fly-in at the USAF Museum , Sept 12-14 ?
I will be there in RFC uniform. I can't bring my aeroplane this year. They are expecting 50 flying WWI aeroplanes and lots of display stuff.
Cher'o,
Dwight
Current SrA points leader, AMA Nat'l Enduro Series

dale

Dwight,
I'm not into the plane thing, but they have a lot of it here. I think the regular air show was a couple weeks ago.
I think a lot of the starting problems are because people don't have the right jets. The Xr4 is more finiky than other 4 strokes I have owned. Suprisingly putting the 426 bore in made my '96 easier to jet. It is less affected by temp and humidity. The '99 is also better than the '96, I guess do to the carb changes Honda made.
P.S. I guess your no novice.